King Tut Still Talks
Reigning in Egypt as its Pharaoh (c1334-1325) Tutankhamen is chronicled by history as insignificant, he was a boy seated on the throne only to die in his late teenage years. But, curiously popularized by his extravagant death mask.
Tutankhamen was unearthed by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1925.
When Howard Carter and his associates found the tomb of King Tutankhamen, they opened up his casket and found another within it. They opened up the second casket which was covered with gold leaf, and found a third. Inside the third casket was a fourth made of pure gold. The pharaoh's body was in the fourth. It was wrapped in gold cloth and wore a gold face mask. But when the body was unwrapped, it was leathery and shriveled.# (unknown source)
How often do we 'gild the lily' of our faith, or mask ourselves with another's words of gold to impress - thus popularizing ourselves too?
We can create beautiful exteriors, volunteer for all the church rosters or even attend Bible studies each week - but there is only a golden outside. Hollow and shriveled on the inside may be real, but never it is seen.
Has western Christendom become a forum for spiritual junkies, with its babylonian gloss, endless conferences, books and podcasts? All is received as fine looking, indeed golden Christian 'exercises', layer upon layer. But, inside the heart aches because the Word is rarely visited, the knees hardly bent and the beggar bypassed in the street.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
What is on the outside of a man has never mattered. It does not impress God. Strive first for the things of God.
Today's Soul Snippet:
'I have lived, seen God's hand through a lifetime, and all was for the best.' ~ Robert Browning